Henry defends Pulisic’s Milan and USA role: ‘Stop making him something he’s not’ | OneFootball

Thierry Henry believes that Christian Pulisic is a ‘technical leader’, but insists that supporters should not hammer him if he isn’t vocal, nor a physically imposing figure on the pitch. ‘Maybe he’s not that type of leader’.

It has been an underwhelming international break for Pulisic and his USMNT colleagues – Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah among them – as they fell to consecutive defeats against Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League over the course of the last week.

Pulisic lined up as a starter in both matches, but was unable to help his team in terms of goal contributions in the 1-0 loss to Panama, or in the 2-1 defeat by Canada.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts to a given up late goal during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Henry: ‘Pulisic is a very good player, stop making him something he’s not’

As Pulisic has established himself as a key player for club and country, some supporters feel that he should be showing more as a leader, but Henry, on punditry duty for CBS Sports, explained why Pulisic still sets the benchmark for both Milan and the USA, even if he is not the most vocal on the pitch.

“Pulisic is a good player, a very good player, and for the first time is playing week in, week out and delivering for a good team in Europe,” Henry told CBS viewers before the 2-1 loss to Canada (via goal.com).

“But you also have to stop the narrative that maybe he’s not that type of leader. Stop, don’t force him to be that. He’s a technical leader,” Henry continued.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 15: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan is challenged by Gabriel Strefezza and Lucas Da Cunha of Como during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Is he that enforcer type of leader? Gattuso wasn’t Pirlo, Pirlo wasn’t Gattuso if you know what I mean. That doesn’t mean he’s not the best in this team as a player.

“He’s very good at a lot of things, but he doesn’t have that type of leadership, and that’s okay right. Stop making him something that he’s not, because when it comes to that, you’re going to highlight his weaknesses. Concentrate on what he can do. He’s a very good player.”